Soccer

This World Cup has shaped up to be arguably the biggest sporting event of all time, with 3 host nations, 16 cities, 48 teams, 104 matches, and six billion viewers around the globe ... and big events mean bigger auctions ... like this one from Christie's.

Beginning on July 22 ... fans around the world can register to bid on signed jerseys, signed game balls, and Shakira's outfit from the first-ever FIFA World Cup halftime show!

For starters ... one of the items in this auction is this team-signed USA World Cup 2026 jersey! But, you better Balo-gun it to your wallet ... because the bids are sure to kick off strong.

U.S. soccer star Folarin Balogun says he was initially thrilled when his red card suspension was put on ice, clearing the way for him to play ... but the joy faded fast when the striker saw the controversy was shaking up his teammates, who were routed by Belgium.

Balogun appeared on "CBS Mornings" on Tuesday when he was asked about President Donald Trump's intervention, describing the roller coaster of emotions he experienced.

"My initial reaction was I was happy to be back on the team, but when I kind of started to reflect I knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy, and I could almost see within my teammates a bit of nerves 'cause it's something that is so unique," Balogun explained.

There's no Holland and Haaland bromance on the horizon -- Tom Holland admitted he tried to link up with soccer superstar Erling Haaland last month ... and to his surprise, he got completely ignored!!

The 'Spider-Man' actor owned up to the snub on 'The Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon on Monday ... when the host mentioned a recent social media post detailing his failed attempt to be bros.

Holland explained the two were near each other at the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix ... so he thought he'd shoot his shot and send him a message.

The 2026 ESPSYs are goin' down tomorrow, so we're throwin' it back to this ESPY winner, soccer legend Mia Hamm!

Hamm's soccer reign peaked from the 1990s through the early 2000s, cementing her status as one of the sport's all-time greats. Some of her standout accomplishments include winning two FIFA Women's World Cups, two Olympic gold medals, and five ESPY Awards.

Seems Norwegian soccer star Erling Haaland is starting to feel more cowboy than Viking ... after spending weeks in the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he decided to bring home some cowboy keepsakes from Texas ... and they weren't cheap.

A manager for Wild Bill's Western Store in Dallas tells TMZ ... Haaland and four other Norwegian soccer players were given a taste of Texas when they popped in for a private shopping spree.

We're told the soccer stars players shopped for an hour and a half uninterrupted ... purchasing cowboy hats -- including an El Presidente felt hat and a beaver felt hat -- boots, western shirts, and belt buckles.

"Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta" alum Tommie Lee got a legal red card at a big World Cup match in Miami ... cops busted her for allegedly sneaking into the stadium to try and watch England play Norway.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office arrest report, obtained by TMZ, Tommie was busted without a ticket to Saturday's big match after she allegedly worked her way through a restricted area at Hard Rock Stadium.

The reality star was booked and jailed for a third-degree felony charge of interference with a sporting or entertainment event. She pleaded not guilty.

Scheana Shay proved she hasn't forgotten her restaurant roots ... 'cause TMZ has learned she jumped in to help staff at a packed Seattle bar after it was flooded with World Cup fans.

TMZ obtained video of the "Vanderpump Rules" alum Saturday at Uptown Hophouse in Seattle, where she helped serve customers after the pub was unexpectedly slammed by the soccer crowd as England faced Norway in their quarterfinal matchup.

We're told the bar quickly filled with patrons looking to watch the action, leaving employees scrambling to keep up with the rush. Rather than watch the chaos unfold, we're told Scheana volunteered to help, delivering food and lending a hand until things settled down.

Top Dutch soccer referee Rob Dieperink is dead ... just weeks after being dropped from the World Cup following a sexual assault arrest in the United Kingdom.

Dieperink's death was confirmed Monday by the Dutch Football Association, which released a statement saying it was "shocked and deeply saddened" by his passing.

The cause of death is unclear ... and police are reportedly conducting an investigation.

The 2026 World Cup lost one of its biggest sensations.

Erling Haaland, the superstar striker who captivated the soccer world, said his goodbyes to the States early Monday morning after his Norway squad was defeated by England over the weekend in the quarterfinals, ending their World Cup ride.

"Goodbye [U.S. flag emoji] It’s been emotional," the 25-year-old posted on Instagram, alongside a selfie from what appears to be an airplane.

Jayden Adams' partner shared a loving tribute to the soccer star before the World Cup ... and it shows just how much time she thought the young man had.

Aqueelah Chloe Adendorf posted about Adams on May 27 -- a couple weeks before the tournament started -- sharing photos of the pair grinning wide.

In her caption, Adendorf wrote she was so proud of Jayden for everything he'd accomplished ... writing, "I don’t think you even realize how inspiring you are. You deserve every single moment of this because I’ve seen how much you’ve worked for it."

Harper Beckham may have wanted the gift of her brother Brooklyn Beckham's presence on her birthday ... but he reportedly didn't oblige.

Page Six obtained photos of HB's 15th birthday party on Friday at an Italian joint in West Palm Beach ... which showed Harper with David and Victoria Beckham, her brothers Romeo and Cruz and their respective GFs -- Kim Turnbull and Jackie Apostel.

Missing from that gathering, obviously, were Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz.

South African soccer star Jayden Adams has died just weeks after he appeared in the 2026 FIFA World Cup for Bafana Bafana.

South Africa's minister of sport, arts and culture, Gayton McKenzie, announced the news, calling him "one of its brightest young talents," per the BBC.

A cause of death has not been revealed.

Cristiano Ronaldo just made IShowSpeed's year -- and maybe his whole life -- 'cause the soccer superstar gifted the popular streamer and diehard CR7 fanatic a pair of his game-worn FIFA World Cup cleats!!

The incredible moment went down on Speed's stream during the Spain vs. Belgium quarterfinal on Friday ... which Ronaldo and Portugal would have played in if they had won this past Monday.

Of course, they were booted in the Round of 16, and Speed was deeply emotional after Ronaldo's final World Cup match of his international career ... but this gesture certainly had to have lifted his spirits.

They don't call Paris the City of Love for nothing ... because Cardi B may have a new man ... he's an international soccer star, and her fans seem to be all for it!!!

Check out this TikTok video from a Paris Fashion Week event ... the guy beside Cardi is Nigerian soccer goalkeeper Maduka Okoye ... and on top of making Bardi fans blush, he's quite the gentleman, helping her take a seat beside him.

Is this hunk of a man enough to get into the rapper's good graces? We'll have to see! But Cardi fans definitely don't hate the idea ... they've taken to social media to gush over the guy and are pointing out how comfortable the two look together.

Videos circulating around social media claim Egypt fans were singled out for extra security before a FIFA World Cup match in Atlanta ... but reps for the stadium are calling foul.

A spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Arena tells TMZ ... footage showing soccer fans entering the stadium for Tuesday's Round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina is being misconstrued.

While social media users claim Egypt fans were stopped for pat downs while Argentina fans were waved through, the stadium rep says the Egypt fans were part of a supporter group, and as such, they were patted down for fireworks and other banned items before entry through their gate.

We're told the reason Egypt fans were stopped while Argentina fans were sent on their way is that the Argentina fans in the video were not part of a supporter group... just general fans, and they were being waved toward a different gate, where they went through security ... the same as everyone else.

A fan is coming to his own defense after a clip appearing to show him mocking IShowSpeed with a racist taunt went viral ... but the Argentinian supporter says it ain't what it looks like, and he's adamant he did nothing wrong!

"I wasn't being racist, I was imitating Speed himself, it disgusts me and that anti-Argentina campaign has me fed up, and to top it off if it had been 'racist' then tough luck for him, he's in ALL the matches busting balls against Argentina, what are we gonna tell him? Love ya?," one of the alleged fans explained on X, in response to the controversy.

Along with the commentary, the fan, named Micha, shared a one-minute-long video of Speed taunting Lionel Messi from a first-row seat during a penalty kick in the Argentina vs. Egypt game on Monday.